Parliament Question: Check on Stubble Burning

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2358 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025 Check on Stubble Burning

2358. KUMARI SELJA:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to

state:

(a) the main reasons of air pollution in the areas around Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Chandigarh in North India;

(b) whether the stubble burning by farmers is the main reason for the increasing air pollution or is there any other reason as well and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has made any plan to control air pollution and check on stubble burning; and

(d) if so, the details and outcomes thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) & (b):

Air pollution in Delhi - National Capital Region (NCR) is a collective result of multiple factors including high level of anthropogenic activities in the high-density populated areas in NCR, arising from various sectors viz. Vehicular Pollution, Industrial Pollution, Dust from Construction & Demolition activities, Road Dust, Biomass Burning, Municipal Solid Waste burning etc. During winter months, lower temperature, lower mixing heights, temperature inversion conditions and stagnant winds lead to trapping of the pollutants resulting in high pollution in the region. Stubble or biomass burning after harvesting is also one of the main reasons for the increasing air pollution in Delhi- NCR during winter season. Incidences of paddy stubble burning in the northern states of Punjab, Haryana, NCR districts of UP and other areas in NCR are a matter of concern and impact the air quality in the NCR, particularly in the period during October and November.

(c) & (d):

The Government has undertaken various measures to mitigate air pollution caused due to stubble burning, which are mentioned below:  A Comprehensive Framework has been prepared by Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) for control /elimination of crop residue burning, based on discussions held with the state governments of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Government of NCT of Delhi, State Pollution Control Board of NCR States and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and various stakeholders viz. Indian Space Research Organization

(ISRO), Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), Indian Agriculture ResearchInstitute (IARI). Accordingly, NCR states have been directed to draw up detailed state- specific action plans based on the major contours of the framework  Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) in 2018 launched scheme for providing subsidy for purchase of crop residue management machinery and establishment of custom hiring centres (CHCs) in NCT of Delhi and the States of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh for in-situ management of paddy straw. MoA&FW in 2023 revised guidelines under the scheme to support establishment of crop residue/paddy straw supply chain, by providing financial assistance on the capital cost of machinery and equipment.

 An Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) has been constituted in December, 2023 under the chairmanship of Special Secretary, MoA&FW for convergence of scheme of Schemes/Initiatives supporting Ex-situ management of paddy straw. The IMC holds regular meetings with State Governments for effective monitoring and prevention of stubble burning incidents in these states.

 Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) has launched a scheme to provide financial assistance to Compressed Bio-gas producers for procurement of biomass aggregation equipment for ex-situ management of paddy straw.

 Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has framed Guidelines for grant of one-time financial support under Environment Protection Charge funds for establishment of pelletization and Torrefaction plants to promote utilisation of paddy straw.

 CAQM has issued directions to all the Coal based Thermal Power Plants located within 300 Kms radius of Delhi to co-fire biomass based pellets, torrefied pellets/ briquettes (upto 5-10%) with coal to promote use of biomass.

 CAQM has issued directions to State Governments of Punjab and Haryana to mandate use of paddy straw-based biomass pellets / briquettes in all brick kilns located in the districts beyond NCR, as one of the means towards elimination of the practice of open paddy stubble burning.

 In order to deter Paddy straw burning in the agriculture fields, this Ministry, vide

notification no. G.S.R. 690(E) dated 06.11.2024, has issued the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (Imposition, Collection and Utilization of Environmental Compensation for Stubble Burning) Amendment Rules, 2024 for levying Environmental Compensation on the stubble burning incidents.

Due to the efforts made by all stakeholders, continuous decrease has been observed in Paddy Stubble Burning events in Punjab & Haryana. The number of such events for the states of Punjab and Haryana during harvesting season 15th September to 30th November for 2021-24 is given below.

State 2021 2022 2023 2024 Punjab 71304 49922 36663 10909 Haryana 6987 3661 2303 1406 The above status shows that Paddy Stubble Burning events have reduced by 84.70 % and 79.87 % respectively in Punjab and Haryana in year 2024 when compared with year 2021.

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